After reaching a peak of 2.500 visitors per day, the authorities responsible for the care of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu limited the entry of more tourists to ensure the preservation of the site, informed the Regional Office of Culture (DRC) of Cusco.
“As an institution we have standards to meet internal and external.Among them are the recommendations of Unesco and it says the Master Plan for Machu Picchu, which states that only 2,500 people will enter the citadel every day, “said Julio Duenas, head of the ticket office of Management and Electronic Commerce the DRC.
He explained that the closing occurred on the eve, so that 80 visitors, especially national, who came on their own or with guides or contact the agencies were informal, could not enter the archaeological site.
“They arrived at Machu Picchu town without a ticket of admission. In this jurisdiction we have an office to sell tickets of admission, but only if there are spaces, but there was not,” he told Andina news agency.
At the gateway to Machu Picchu may purchase tickets, and this is another recommendation of Unesco. Only in cases of contingency, or if space is sold in the office in the village of Machu Picchu, said noting that the first time there is a situation like this.
“These dates are considered high season, the same that started this week and runs through mid August. We visit mostly domestic tourists,” he said.
“In recent months there has been a strong presentation and promotion of Machu Picchu for the centenary of his scientific discovery. Therefore, permanently, through the electronic ticket, is how many spaces there and stresses that must be purchased in advance, “he said.
Unfortunately, he continued, many guidebooks or informal agencies that take advantage of the confidence of tourists and tell them not to worry about the load (for admission to the Citadel), which is not real or are people in Machu Picchu get tickets of admission.
“We have been disappointed by what happened yesterday, but we must enforce the rules. For today we have zero space to Machu Picchu, as tomorrow and that is on the website. ”
Duenas said that to avoid mishaps, the DRC works continuously with the formal tourism agencies. “We sent the press releases we issue to your emails and they have indicated that prevention buy tickets in advance to the citadel,” he said.
Join Huayna Picchu
On the other hand said that since last July 15 a new system or route for tourists interested to climb Huayna Picchu, the mountain that appears in the Postcards from the citadel, to promote order and prevent mishaps between tourists.
That is because visitors had to queue from 03:00 hours to enter the mountain, a situation that was exploited by some people, who separated quota and benefiting financially.
“We had different routes, one of which is the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu is another himself, and was evaluating behavior Huayna Picchu. We know that the number of entrants to the mountain is 400 day, no more, because the roads are narrow. ”
It was found that management had a very empirical and detrimental to the tourist, therefore, in coordination with the Association of Travel Agencies Cusco, it was considered appropriate to implement an additional route to Huayna Picchu, which has meant an increase of 24 soles cost.
“No agency or tourists have complained about the amount, but there have been complaints from some agencies and informal guides working in Machu Picchu, whose main source of income was to queue and generate a profit of this operation.”
With this system, the queues have been eliminated, because now Huayna Picchu to go to any visitor, user or agency purchase your admission ticket in advance and there set times, which are listed on the ticket.
“Now there is a path-Huayna Picchu Machu Picchu, Temple of the Moon, for tourists wishing to climb Huayna Picchu, those who wish can not just buy your ticket to Machu Picchu,” specified noting that this provision worked with Based on a directory of services approved by the Ministry of Culture.
The sale of the spaces is done through the electronic system or the offices of the Regional Directorate of Culture of Cusco. It will be sold at the gateway to the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
Entrance fees to Huayna Picchu, he emphasized, are different from those entering the sanctuary, which keeps their costs. There are no refunds for a fee or set to another.
The costs of adult foreign-Machu Picchu route Huayna Picchu, Temple of the Moon is 150 soles, foreign students, 75 soles; adult promotional (national and Community), 90 soles, student promotion, 45 soles.
“These fare include a visit to Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary,” he said.
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